Question 1: What is the Bainbridge Cup?
The Bainbridge Cup is the first event of its kind – an Intercontinental Pickleball Team Competition with players from around the world teaming up to compete for the prestigious Bainbridge Cup trophy.

Organized by the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP), the Bainbridge Cup features match play competition between players representing two Teams: North America and Europe. A third Team (a “Rest of the World” Team) is expected to participate in future events. The Bainbridge Cup is owned and managed by the IFP.

Players on each Team will be representing their continent as they compete on a worldwide stage. The winning Team will win the Bainbridge Cup trophy and will retain the Cup for a year. Then one year later the winning Team must defend the Cup in future Bainbridge Cup events.

The Bainbridge Cup competition guarantees the unique experience of playing for your teammates and your continent, thus ensuring a new type of drama, camaraderie and sportsmanship among pickleball players from around the world.

Question 2: When is the Bainbridge Cup?
The Bainbridge Cup will be held Friday, July 12, 2019. Immediately following the Cup competition will be another international competition: on July 13 and 14 the German Open Pickleball Championships 2019 will be held at the same location as the Cup. Therefore, there will be three consecutive days of competition at the same location: July 12, 13 and 14, 2019.

Question 3: Will the Bainbridge Cup be an annual event?
The Bainbridge Cup will be held each year, making it an annual event. The winning Team of the Bainbridge Cup will defend its title in the following Bainbridge Cup event.

Question 4: Where is the 2019 Bainbridge Cup going to be held?
Essen, Germany

Question 5: What events will be played in the Bainbridge Cup?
Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles

Question 6: What is the format of the Bainbridge Cup competition?
The Bainbridge Cup’s competition format is different from traditional Pickleball tournaments. The Bainbridge Cup is a Team competition, thus individuals do not play for medals. Players combine with other players from their respective continent to form a Team and to compete for a Team award – the coveted Bainbridge Cup trophy.

Winning the Bainbridge Cup: The Team that earns the most points (i.e., wins the most matches) throughout the day wins the Bainbridge Cup.

Bainbridge Cup Teams: The Bainbridge Cup will feature two Teams: North America and Europe. A third team (a “Rest of the World” Team) is also expected to participate.

Scoring: Each match is worth one or more points. Teams accumulate points throughout the day for each match won. Matches later in the day may be worth more points, known as “bonus matches”. Points will be added up throughout the day to determine the winning Team.

Round Robin Play: Matches will be played in a Round Robin format. Players will be grouped into pools with other players of similar age and skill level. All participants will play multiple matches throughout the day in Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles.

Matches: Matches will generally be played 1 to 15, win by 1. Some matches may be played best 2 out of 3 to 11, win by 1.

Question 7: Who is eligible to participate in the Bainbridge Cup?
The Cup is open to all players 7 years or older who want to participate. All skill levels and nationalities are welcome.

Question 8: Is the Bainbridge Cup a Super Senior Circuit event?
Yes, the Bainbridge Cup is an official Super Senior Tournament (www.ssipa-pb.org) which means that in addition to Juniors, 19+ and 50+ age divisions, the event will include the following age groups: 65+, 70+, 75+ and 80+. Age divisions may be slightly adjusted depending on the final number of entries.

Question 9: How many matches will I play in the Bainbridge Cup?
All participants will play multiple matches throughout the day. The exact number of matches will depend on the number of players that register for the event. In addition, because there will be three consecutive days of competition (see Question 2 above), participants will also play multiple matches per day in the German Open on the two days immediately following the Cup.

Question 10: Does the Bainbridge Cup competition only last one day?
Yes, the Bainbridge Cup will be held on Friday, July 12, 2019. Immediately following the Bainbridge Cup will be the German Open Pickleball Championships 2019 hosted by the German Pickleball Association, held on July 13 and 14, 2019. These back-to-back events provide three full days of competition. Both events will be held at the same indoor venue in Essen, Germany.

Question 11: Are there any PICKLEBALL CLINICS scheduled prior to the Bainbridge Cup?
Yes, free pickleball clinics will be offered on Wednesday and Thursday, July 10 and 11, 2019. Clinics will be led by top coaches and players.

Question 12: Who are the Bainbridge Cup Team Captains?
Team Captains will be announced shortly.

Question 13: What is the role of the Bainbridge Cup Team Captains?
The Team Captains play a key role both before and during the competition. The Captains’ responsibilities include: 1) representing the Bainbridge Cup as event spokespersons, 2) promoting the event and motivating players to register and join their Team, 3) helping to rank the players on their Team, and 4) playing for and helping their Teams to victory.

Question 14: Is the Bainbridge Cup skill-based or age-based?
The Bainbridge Cup will be a combination of skill- and age-based competition. The following age divisions will be included: Juniors (7-18), 19+, 50+, 65+, 70+, 75+ and 80+. Age divisions may be slightly adjusted depending on the final number of entries.

Question 15: How do I determine my rating or skill level?
If you do not already have a skill level rating, go to IFP Rating Descriptions for a compete explanation of skill level ratings. It contains descriptions of ratings from 1.0 to 5.0.

Skill levels for the Bainbridge Cup competition will be determined by the skill level specified on your registration form; however, your final skill level may be adjusted at the discretion of the Team Captains or Tournament Directors based on recent tournament results.

Question 16: What determines my age?
Age is determined as of December 31, 2019.

Question 17: What is the event schedule?
The Bainbridge Cup matches will all be played on Friday, July 12th. Matches will begin at 8:30 am and will continue into the afternoon/evening.

Question 18: Is the Bainbridge Cup sanctioned by the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP)?
Yes, the Bainbridge Cup is sanctioned by the IFP and IFP Official Rules will apply. Click HERE to see the IFP Official Rules. To see the Official Rules in different languages, click on “Rules” listed in the top menu of this webpage.

Question 20: When does early registration close?
Early registration for the Bainbridge Cup will close on March 31, 2019.

Question 21: When does registration close?
Registration for the 2019 Bainbridge Cup will close on June 23, 2019.

Question 22: How can a player register?
Registration for the Bainbridge Cup will be available soon on PickleballTournaments.com.

Question 23: Do I need to indicate which events I want to play in in the Bainbridge Cup?
No. When you register for the Bainbridge Cup you do not need to choose the events (Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles) you want to participate in for the Cup event. You simply need to register for the Cup event as a single event. After you register you will receive a registration confirmation email allowing you to indicate your event and partner preferences for the Bainbridge Cup. Once registration closes all players will be contacted again to confirm which events they will play in as well as who they will partner with in the Bainbridge Cup.

Question 24: Do I need to choose a playing partner for the Bainbridge Cup?
No. When you register you do not need to choose a playing partner. After you register you will receive a registration confirmation email allowing you to indicate your event and partner preferences for the Bainbridge Cup. Once registration closes all players will be contacted again to confirm which events they will play in as well as who they will partner with in the Bainbridge Cup.

Question 25: Do playing partners in the Bainbridge Cup need to be from the same continent?
Yes. For the Bainbridge Cup, players must partner with someone from their same continent, either North America or Europe. Players participating on a possible “Rest of the World” team may partner with anyone outside of North America and Europe.

Question 26: How can I pay my registration and event fees?
Registration payment is made online at PickleballTournaments.com. When paying online, you will be directed to a PayPal page, however you do not need a PayPal account – you can pay using any major credit card. If you encounter any problems with PayPal, you need to contact PayPal. The IFP is not responsible for any registration or event fee payments not processed by PayPal. Once an online payment is received along with the registration form, the player is considered registered.

Question 27: How much does it cost to participate in the Bainbridge Cup?

One registration fee covers two competitions: it covers BOTH the Bainbridge Cup (July 12) AND the German Open (July 13 and 14).

The Bainbridge Cup event fee is 15 euros ($16). This single fee covers all matches played in the Cup.

The German Open event fees are 15 euros ($11) each. A separate fee is paid for each event (Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles).

Question 28: If I have to cancel my registration and withdraw, can I get a refund?
Yes, registration fees will be refunded as long as withdrawal is completed prior to July 2, 2019 on the registration site PickleballTournaments.com. All cancellations will incur a 17 euro ($20) cancellation fee.

Question 29: What type of courts will the event be played on at the Bainbridge Cup?
Matches will be played on indoor courts.

Question 30: What ball will be used at the Bainbridge Cup?
The official Cup ball has not yet been determined and will be announced soon.

Question 31: Will there be a tournament dinner party?
Yes, there will be a very lively Post Tournament Dinner Party on Sunday, July 14 at 8:00pm when the tournament finishes. We expect a large turnout and invite you to come and party with your new tournament friends from around the world. Non-pickleball players are also welcome! The price of the Dinner Party is 35 euros ($38) which includes a full-course German meal, drinks, and plenty of lively German-style fun in a private setting reserved just for us. You can sign up for the dinner when you register for the Cup Competition on PickleballTournaments.com.

Question 32: Are there recommendations for accommodations in Madrid?
Hotel recommendations for Essen can be found soon on the webpage of the German Pickleball Association (http://deutscher-pickleball-bund.de). July is a very busy time of year for tourism so we strongly encourage making reservations as soon as possible.

Question 33: Are there recommendations for traveling and sightseeing in Italy before and after the event?
Germany offers a wealth of history, culture, entertainment and gastronomy throughout the country. For information about tourist options click HERE.